Point 88: The Silent Auction

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Our Conference Sponsors contributed generously, allowing our first Silent Auction to be a tremendous success. This year, many auction certificates were snagged early for their Bid Now price (75% of the wholesale value), allowing auction participants to take home a guaranteed discount on future inventory for their studios. Some bidders went the patience and risk route, which resulted in an exciting Thursday afternoon in the Auction booth. A small number of auction certificates were awarded for as little as 20% of their wholesale value!

We would like to thank everyone who participated in the Silent Auction. Your participation provides the Association of Professional Piercers with support that makes Conference happen and allows the organization to operate throughout the year.

Thanks again to our Conference Sponsors who contributed charitably to the Silent Auction:

  • Anatometal Inc.
  • Auris Jewellery
  • Buddha Jewelry Organics
  • Fakir Intensives
  • Gold Heart Woodworks
  • Industrial Strength Body Jewelry
  • LeRoi Inc
  • Maya Jewelry
  • NeoMetal Inc.
  • Pupil Hall
  • Quetzalli Jewelry
  • Regalia
  • Sleeping Goddess Jewelry
  • Steri-Wash

Point 88: The President’s Corner

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by Cody Vaughn

Hello dear readers of The Point: Journal of Body Piercing! I am incredibly humbled and proud to introduce myself to you all as the new President for the Association of Professional Piercers.

I would like to start by sharing with you all a little about myself. I was born and raised in Monterey, California. I have an amazing wife, Brittney Vaughn, and we both own and pierce at Vaughn Body Arts. We have three children and a big goofy dog named Lobo.

My love of body piercing started as a teenager while watching MTV late at night. I saw a pierced nipple for the very first time and well, here I am now (thank you, Red Hot ChiliPeppers).

I started piercing in 2004. I became an APP Member in 2009 and have been a volunteer with the Membership Committee ever since. I have also volunteered on other various APP committees on and off throughout the years, and have been serving as a Board Member since 2014. In addition to my volunteerism, I am a dedicated educator. I have been an instructor for The Fakir Intensives since 2011. Over the years, I have also had the pleasure of teaching at APP Conference and Camp APP in the United States, LBP in Mexico, and ruAPP in Russia. During my APP Board terms I have served as Vice President, Membership Liaison, and now as President. Needless to say, things have been very busy and exciting these past five years! But that is enough about me, let’s talk about APP Conference!

A few years ago a survey was sent out to APP Members requesting their feedback for Conference. The overwhelming response was that Conference makes the most sense in Las Vegas from a financial and entertainment standpoint. At the request of the membership, we started looking at other hotels to host our Conference.

Some were too small and couldn’t physically house all our attendees. Others were simply too expensive for the daily room rates. Then we toured Planet Hollywood. Making a very long and work-intensive story short, Planet Hollywood looked like the perfect next step for our growing conference.

Now, I’m one of those people that gets used to things and am fine with familiarity. I was always quite fond of Bally’s. I knew where everything was located. Huge group hangouts at the bar were always a sight to see. So why change it? I walked into Planet Hollywood thinking, “well if everybody wants a change of scenery, so be it, but what was wrong with Bally’s?” I am happy to say that I was wrong. So very, very wrong.

Our Conference at Planet Hollywood was simply fantastic. The overall look of the hotel felt updated and refreshing. The rooms were comfy and felt new and modern. And every room had a fridge!! (It’s the little things.)

The easy walk directly from the elevator to the conference space and Expo was incredibly convenient.

It felt wonderful to travel to and from classes without having to go through all the cigarette smoke on the gaming floor. I had the opportunity to speak with a lot of first-time attendees, long-time attendees, and vendors. The overwhelming amount of positive and enthusiastic comments about the new location were simply amazing.

It felt so good as a Board Member to hear how happy attendees were. Personally, this Conference was truly memorable because of the tributes for Fakir Musafar. Fakir was a friend of mine, my boss at The Intensives, and an altogether fun person to be around. He always seemed to have a new story I had never heard about something he did at some point. Did you realize Fakir was a puppeteer on a children’s television show for a little bit?

The Body Piercing Archive’s Fakir exhibit was breathtaking. In my biased opinion, it is their most amazing exhibit as of yet. Seeing all the amazing pictures and original items from Fakir’s body play journey and photography up close and in person was surreal.

Docent tours were lead by Cléo Dubois, Ken Coyote, Ian Bishop, Jef Saunders, Dustin Allor, Allen Falkner, Annie Sprinkle, Cynthia Wright, Betty Ann Peed, and Paul King; the tours were wonderfully done. Hearing each person’s unique relationship with Fakir was a memorable treat that I’ll never forget.

What a Conference! Smiles, tears, hugs, laughs. It was an emotional rollercoaster for sure.

I don’t want to give away any surprises, but with our next Conference in 2020 being our 25th anniversary, it is safe to say it’s going to be a special one.

Thank you for having me as a Board Member these past five years! I look forward to one more year of service and I look forward to learning with you all at our next Camp and Conference

Point 88: From the Editor

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by Marina Pecorino, The Point Editor

Conference this year featured several sessions on the topic of representation and accessibility. I attended a fantastic discussion from Vanessa Delgado of Eastern Washington University on the topic of Cultural Competence and Inclusion, where the distinction between equality and equity was discussed. I was also allowed to share space with some of my POC colleagues during the POC: The Power of Color and Representation roundtable. I came home more aware than ever of the importance in using our individual platforms to help elevate those around us. Since returning from Conference, I have had more industry professionals than usual reaching out with an interest in volunteering or submitting articles. I love this!

Bring it on.

APP membership is not a requirement for submissions to this publication, although we do encourage Members to submit. We welcome writing, images, and video submissions to editor@safepiercing.org.

Is industry related writing, photography, drawing, and/or videography not your forte, but you’d like to help the organization and industry flourish? Or are you frustrated with an aspect of the organization that you’d like to see change? Maybe you just have an incredibly keen eye for details, fantastic organizational skills, or are particularly tech savvy. If so, I strongly encourage you to email volunteer@safepiercing.org. Julie Taylor has a survey to help identify your areas of skill and interest, enabling the organization to pair you with an appropriate APP Committee or project. There are dozens of people working behind the scenes for the Association of Professional Piercers all the time, sometimes from across the globe. Join us and our companion organizations like, LBP1, UKAPP2, RuAPP3, APPE4, and the brand new AUPP5. You can read about some of their international conferences and contributions later in this issue.

Representation is imperative in all its forms to ensure the diversity and well being of our community. Get involved. Be seen and heard. Add your perspective to our shared history.

1https://www.lbpiercing.com/

2https://www.ukapp.org.uk/

3http://ruapp.pro/

4https://www.appepiercing.org/

5http://safepiercing.org.au/

Point 87: Tiny

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Piercing and Photos by Fakir Musafar

Meet Tiny, the first African-American to appear in Piercing Fans International Quarterly. She was featured in issues 12 (1981) and 14 (1982). Fakir performed the nostril piercing using a pin vice, his tool of choice in the early days before super sharp, disposable piercing needles.

As I recall, the labret piercing was faked. A gold bead was glued to her lower lip, and a gold back of my own fabrication placed inside. The back design would never have been satisfactory.

It would take over a decade of trial and error before the best placement would be worked out and appropriate jewelry designed.—Jim Ward


Point 87: Walk on the Wild Side with Annie Sprinkle

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by Paul King, Body Piercing Archive

On the cover of Piercing Fans International Quarterly (PFIQ)
Annie in the Mobilia Chair
Shopping for photo lights with Fakir Musafar in the early 1980s.

Having Dr. Annie Sprinkle speak at our conference has been a personal dream of mine for years. For those familiar with our community’s history, she needs no introduction or explanation for her importance, not to mention her greater celebrity within the performance art and adult entertainment worlds. She will be sharing her-story Wednesday May 16, 2019, at 12:30pm.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to see an original lecture created just for the APP Conference:

Take a Walk on the Wild Side: an Exploration of Annie Sprinkle’s NYC Underground Piercing Scene.

Most often our piercing history has been told from a Westcoast male perspective. For the first time, Annie will take us deep inside the East Coast piercing scene: the parties, publications, films, and crazy personalities of the 1970s’ and 1980s’ New York.

Annie Sprinkle was a NYC prostitute and porn star for twenty-two years, then morphed into an artist and sexologist. She has passionately explored sexuality for over forty years, sharing her experiences through making her own unique brand of feminist sex films, writing books and articles, visual art making, creating theater performances, and teaching. Annie has consistently championed sex worker rights and health care and was one of the pivotal players of the Sex Positive Movement of the 1980’s. She got her BFA at School of Visual Arts in NYC was the first porn star to earn a Ph.D..

She’s a popular lecturer whose work is studied in many colleges and Universities. For the past seventeen years she has been collaborating on art projects with her partner, an artist and UCSC professor, Elizabeth Stephens. They are movers and shakers in the new “ecosex movement,” committed to making environmentalism more sexy, fun and diverse. In 2013, Sprinkle proudly received the Artist/Activist/ Scholar Award from Performance Studies International at Stanford and was awarded the Acker Award for Excellence in the Avant Garde. –Annie Sprinkle

Point 87: Fakir Musafar — In Pursuit of the Spirit

Comments Off on Point 87: Fakir Musafar — In Pursuit of the Spirit read Body Piercing Archives, Conference, Events, Features, In Memorium, Industry History, Issue 87, News

On August 1, 2018, the piercing community grieved the passing of one of its greatest piercing pioneers, Roland Loomis aka Fakir Musafar. Just nine days shy of his 88th birthday, vibrant, and productive until very near the end, it is difficult to wrap one’s head around the breadth of his cultural contributions!

In honor and celebration of Fakir Musafar’s life, the Body Piercing Archive (BPA) will present, Fakir Musafar: In Pursuit of the Spirit. This will be the most  comprehensive  exhibit  that  has ever been seen on Fakir’s art and legacy.  Over 2,000 square feet will be staged with his original iconic images and  fabricated  sculptures made famous over eight decades of accumulated artwork and Body Play. Many items have never been on public display.  The  show will run from Monday May 13 through Thursday May 17, 2019, at Planet Hollywood, in Las Vegas, from 10 am to 6 pm.

Specially selected docents were chosen to lead tours. Each guide has known Fakir for decades and in different contexts. We encourage you to attend as many of the tours as you can for new information and differing perspectives. Docents bring the material to life, so don’t miss out!

The highlights of the BPA program occurs on Wednesday, May 16. The day’s program begins at 10 am with the world premiere presentation by Jim Ward, Fakir & Me, a one and a half hour lecture that gives an overview to their historically important, yet complex, personal relationship. Then at 12:30 pm, the legendary Annie Sprinkle will give her inaugural APP presentation, Take a Walk on the Wild Side, in which Annie discusses the impact their meeting had on both of their personal lives and careers. The day wraps up with Fakir Musafar: an Evening of Remembrance and Celebration, with presentations by Ken Coyote and Dustin Allor of the Fakir Intensives, Allen Falkner, and the keynote speaker, Fakir’s life partner for more than 30 years, Cleo Dubois. The evening program runs from 6 pm to 8:30 pm and is open to all.

Exhibit Hours:

  • Monday 10 am–6 pm
  • Tuesday 10 am–6 pm
  • Wednesday 10 am–6 pm
  • Thursday 10 am–6 pm

“To not have encumberments, to not have
holes in your body, to not have tattoos may be
debilitating—this is something people have to
consider…being comfortable isn’t necessarily
living a “good” life—that’s the myth, but
it’s not true. Living an uncomfortable life is
sometimes far more satisfactory that a placid,
bovine existence…People may be missing
beautiful, rich experiences because of cultural
biases and conceit.”
—V. Vale and Andrea Juno,
Modern Primitives, 1989, 15.

Monday Docent Tours:
Paul King 11:30 am–12:30 pm
Ian Bishop 1 pm–2 pm
Allen Falkner 2:30 pm–3:30 pm
Dustin Allor 4 pm–5 pm

Adolescent Roland — his birth name — with neck ropes and stenciled on tattoos
Standing on a bed of red cutlass blades, 1963
Dressed with posture collar, stretched nipples, and tight belt.

Tuesday Docent Tours:
Cody Vaughn 10 am–11 am
Paul King 11:30 am–12:30 pm
Ian Bishop 1 pm–2 pm
Betty Ann Peed 2:30 pm–3:30 pm
Jef Saunders 4 pm–5 pm

“Body Play is a process that courts unusual feelings and states of consciousness which,
in the end, result in elevated consciousness (we know something we didn’t know before).
In practice, Body Play is aimed at increasing ‘body awareness.’ That is to make one increasingly aware of one or more distinct body parts. You pierce an ear, you are aware that
it exists. You constrict the torso with a tight corset and you are constantly aware that it
exists. When the new ‘body state’ feels ‘natural’, the effect is heightened to again bring
back the desired state of ‘body awareness’ (the ear piercing is stretched larger, the corset
tightened). Finally, no matter how extreme you apply the ‘change of state’ that change
feels natural and you are empowered.”—Fakir Musafar, Body Play, v. 1 no. 1, 1992.

Fakir experimenting with breast clamp O-Kee-Pa
Fakir lies on a bed of nails while Sailor Sid hammers a wooden block on his back as a part of the entertainment at the Reno ITTA tattoo convention in 1977 photo by Doug Malloy

Wednesday Docent Tours:
Cynthia Wright 10 am–11 am
Ken Coyote 11:30 am–12:30 pm
Yossi Silverman 1 pm–2 pm
Grin 2:30 pm–3:30 pm
Annie Sprinkle 4 pm–5 pm
An Evening of Remembrance & Celebration
6 pm–8:30 pm with Ken Coyote, Dustin Allor,
Allen Falkner, and keynote speaker, Cleo
Dubois presenting Fakir, the Bigger Picture.

An illustration Fakir created for the fetish magazine Bizarre
Fakir stretching his nipples

Thursday Docent Tours:
Grin 10 am–11 am
Paul King 11:30 am–12:30 pm
Allen Falkner 1 pm–2 pm
Cynthia Wright 2:30 pm–3:30 pm
Ken Coyote 4 pm–5 pm

Fakir and his wife Cleo on a Princess Cruise in 2014

Point 87: 2019 APP Conference Certificate Changes

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by Marina Pecorino

In the past, Conference Certificates have been mailed after the event. To alleviate some of the complications and delays of this system, attendance recognition has been updated to better serve our staff and attendees.

Attendees will receive Recognition of Attendance—redesigned, but still with that fancy gold seal!

•Register before April 28: Visit the table near Registration to pick yours up ONSITE!

•Register after April 28: Yours will be mailed shortly after Conference to the address used when registering.

After Conference, attendees who received credit for at least one class can access and print a personalized Official Transcript with session titles. A link to this digital document will be sent via email, so remember to opt in for email notifications! The link will be valid until May 1, 2020; after which, attendees can contact the Office for a digital copy of their transcript.

A Recognition of Attendance and Transcripts will be printed with the First and Last Names exactly as entered during registration. Name changes/reprints can be requested after Conference by emailing mpecorino@safepiercing. org; a $5 processing fee will apply for each physical document.

Point 87: Membership Committee Update

Comments Off on Point 87: Membership Committee Update read Issue 87, Membership, News

by Monica Sabin, Membership Coordinator, APP Membership Committee, Incoming Board Member

Left to right: Coyote Black, Jef Saunders, Pablo Perelmuter,
Barron, Monica Sabin, Aaron Pollack, Johnny Velez, Cody
Vaughn, photo by Shanna Hutchins

Ohhai! The Membership Committee continues to work almost year round to process applications in a timely, yet thorough manner. We also work with aspiring Members to help with the transition to meeting and exceeding current membership requirements.

We have an amazing team of dedicated volunteers. The team has grown over the last year and now includes Jef Saunders, Cody Vaughn, Johnny Velez, Pablo Perelmuter, W. Barron, Sabrina Egan, Vivi Madero, Aaron Pollack, Coyote Black and myself, Monica Sabin. The committee also has the pleasure of working closely with our Membership Administrator, Marina Pecorino.

Many Members have noticed the addition of the Members’ Area to the safepiercing website, allowing individual Members to have more personalized control over their professional documents, communications, membership updates, and access to Members’ only items. Make sure to sign in and check it out, if you haven’t yet!

Applicants are now able to apply through safepiercing.org as well! The process has progressed from mailing packages to the APP office containing paper applications and VHS tapes, then to email threads and Google documents, and now, utilizing our very own website! Our application process has seen some updates over the years and as always the Membership Committee is here to help everyone through this exciting transition.

The committee is still accepting applications, but processing of applications is currently on hold as we all prepare for the APP’s annual Conference & Exposition. The committee will be reconvening starting in June 2019 and will begin to work through the queue of new applications!

We all look forward to this year’s APP Conference, where the committee members will be available to answer any membership questions! Also, any Members that would like to get involved with the organization, membership or otherwise, email Julie Taylor at: volunteer@safepiercing.org.

My email is msabin@safepiercing.org

Thank you and see y’all in Vegas!

Point 87: The All New Golden Ticket Raffle & Silent Auction

Comments Off on Point 87: The All New Golden Ticket Raffle & Silent Auction read Conference, Contests, Events, Issue 87

With Conference just around the corner we wanted to take a moment to let you know about two new and very exciting programs for 2019: the Golden Ticket Raffle and Silent Auction.

THE NEW GOLDEN TICKET RAFFLE

Our Raffle has changed a lot! We encourage everyone to take the time to read this carefully!

The APP would like to sincerely thank all the Vendors who contribute generously to our annual Raffle! This event offers some of the best odds in Vegas, and the odds of winning just got better!

QUICK SUMMARY

1. Information about the Tickets:

Up to 500 tickets will be provided or sold, with 50 unique winners (at least a 1 in 10 chance of winning!) Each ticket will be beautifully printed, numbered, and dated, in the spirit of Willy Wonka’s Golden Ticket.

The first 500 attendees to register online for a full or partial Conference pass will receive (at no additional cost!) a Golden Ticket at Conference! If there are remaining Golden Tickets, the remainder will be sold for $25 each onsite at Conference.

Winners will be chosen randomly and ticket numbers will be revealed at Closing Party. Each person can receive only one ticket and may win only one prize. Each ticket number will be associated with the unique Conference attendee. Tickets granted to the first 500 full or partial Conference registrants will be printed with the attendee’s name. For tickets purchased onsite, the ticket holder must clearly print their name on the back of the ticket.

The ticket should be treated like currency; the APP is not responsible for lost or stolen tickets.

The Golden Ticket must be presented by the purchaser or an authorized proxy to collect the prize.

2. Information about the prizes:

  • 50 total prizes are available in the Raffle.

    Of the 50 prizes:

  • 25 will be gift certificates with a $50 wholesale value
  • 25 will be gift certificates with a $500 wholesale value

Winners are allowed up to 30 days to claim their prize. Some vendors may stipulate longer claim periods. Vendors are allowed to charge the winner shipping if the prize is not claimed onsite.

Contributors can designate that the prize is “Vendor choice” or “Winner’s choice.” Basically the difference being specific product which meets the financial commitment or credit that the winner can use to select any item. No other details about the prize will be collected by the APP.

OFFICIAL GOLDEN TICKET RAFFLE RULES                                                

Prizes

Your odds of winning got even better!

  • (50) Total prizes (25) $500 wholesale value Gift Certificates, plus (25) $50 wholesale value, non-jewelry merchandise or Gift Certificate.
  • The odds are at least:
    • 1 in 10 of winning a prize of either $500 or $50
    • 1 in 20 of winning a $500 prize
    • 1 in 20 of winning a $50 prize
  • Winning odds are calculated at the maximum ticket sale of 500 with 50 prizes; if fewer tickets are sold, the chances of winning will increase.

How to Enter

  • The Golden Ticket can be purchased onsite only for US$25 from Registration during posted hours.
  • Each participant may own ONLY ONE Golden Raffle Ticket.
  • Golden Tickets cannot be transferred, gifted, or resold.
  • The only transfer exception allowed is a transfer of an entire EARLY registration PRIOR to the early registration cutoff.
  • Each ticket is numbered and dated. If purchased onsite, the purchaser’s name must be printed and signed on the back. The purchaser must provide all contact details at the time of purchase.
  • The Golden Ticket is only valid for the year’s Raffle that it is intended; the ticket cannot be rolled over, traded, or reused.
  • Golden Ticket purchases are final; they are non-refundable.
  • Tickets are sold onsite only; ticket cannot be pre-purchased, purchased online, by mail, or proxy.
  • If an individual purchases more than one Golden Ticket for the same annual contest, then ALL the individual’s tickets will be disqualified from winning AND the ticket costs will not be refunded or credited.
  • The first (500) online EARLY Attendee registrants will receive for FREE a GOLDEN TICKET!

How to Win

  • Entry deadlines and details will be posted onsite and in the Conference mobile app.
  • Entry deadlines are subject to change by the Association of Professional Piercers.
  • The Raffle will select winners from the eligible entries via third-party electronic random-drawing software.
  • The winners will be revealed at the Closing Party.
  • In addition, using the contact information provided by the player to the APP , the APP will notify each winner by email.
  • Winners must sign the Winner Claim Form (in triplicate) in accordance with these Raffle regulations and procedures.
  • Players may not win more than one (1) prize in each year’s drawing.
  • The winner has up to 30 days to claim their prize from the contributor. The first of the 30 days starts 00:01 am the Friday after the Closing Party.
  • If claimed and/or redeemed after Conference, the winner is responsible for shipping and insurance charges.
  • Unclaimed prizes are forfeited after 30 days. The prizes are returned to the contributor; they are not held or rolled-over.

Drawings

  • The Raffle will select winners from the eligible entries via third-party electronic random-drawing software. Each of the purchased Golden Ticket numbers will be entered into the software.
  • The maximum number of tickets presented or sold will be 500.
  • The winning ticket numbers will be revealed at the Closing Party.

Eligibility and Participation

  • Participation is open to persons 18 years of age and older.
  • Must present valid Photo ID
  • Participants must meet eligibility requirements at the time of the Raffle drawing.
  • To purchase a ticket onsite, participants must be registered and attending Conference. This includes all attending members and registered guests, such as: speakers and non-member attendees, health inspectors, press, vendors, and vendor workers.
  • There is no remote participation, such as by proxy, online, or mail order.
  • This Raffle is not open to APP Board Members, Officers, raffle-handling Volunteers, employees or family members residing in the same household.

Additional Terms

  • Participants are responsible for complying with these Official Rules.
  • Proof of age, eligibility, and identity must be furnished upon request.
  • Participants agree to the use of their name, likeness, and studio for advertising and publicity purposes, without compensation.
  • All taxes are the responsibility of the winner.
  • By participating in the program, and/or accepting any prize or promotional award, participants agree to and do release and hold harmless the Association of Professional Piercers (APP) and its Volunteers, employees, agents, and Officers from any claim, demand, judgment, award, and/or any liability of any kind whatsoever.
  • The APP reserves the right to modify or terminate this Raffle at any time. In the event of a conflict, these Official Rules supersede any applicable general rules or advertisements of the APP Raffle.

ALL ABOUT THE NEW SILENT AUCTION

The Silent Auction is for wholesale items ONLY. Bidding will occur in the Expo area only. Only  documented industry affiliated Expo pass holders may bid. Vendor Workers & Exhibitors will need to have their industry-affiliated documentation checked with the Silent Auction Manager, Kendra Jane, prior to bidding.

Each bidder may win only a maximum of $10,000 wholesale value. If bidder exceeds the $10,000 limit, an APP official will pick which Gift Certificates are awarded. So bid CAREFULLY.

Designation for distribution of the bids won in excess of $10,000 is at the APP’s sole discretion. Any bids won in excess of the $10,000 value for an individual will be awarded to the second highest bidder. If the second highest bidder is in excess, then the item will be awarded to the third highest bid, and so on. If no one is qualified to win a bid or if the minimum is not met, then the bid reverts back to the contributor. Under no circumstances will any individual collect winnings in excess of $10,000 wholesale value.

Silent Auction Gift Certificates are in the following wholesale value denominations only: $5,000, $4,000, $3,000, $2,000, $1,000. Silent Auction Gift Certificate values stand alone; promotions and/or discounts cannot be applied or combined with the Silent Auction Certificates.

The Silent Auction begins at 2pm PDT on Tuesday and ends 30 minutes before closing Tuesday. On Wednesday, bidding begins when Expo opens (Noon PDT) and the FINAL BID will take place no later than 30 minutes before Expo closing on Wednesday (6:30pm PDT). Bidding for the Silent Auction happens ONLY on Tuesday and Wednesday on the Expo floor. Only industry affiliated Expo pass holders may bid.

Qualified bidders MUST provide their full name, phone number, email. If bidder is unable to publicly disclose this information for any reason, bidder is responsible to verify that it is on file with Registration as current and correct.

Winners will be notified by email Wednesday after the Expo floor closes. Winner notification (including Contributor announcement) will also be pushed out through the Conference app.

Silent Auction wins must be paid in full by 2pm on Thursday or they may be awarded to the second highest bidder: in the event the second highest bidder is at the $10,000 threshold then the prize will be awarded to the third highest bidder, and so on.

A “Buy Now” option is available at 75% of the Gift Certificate value:

  • A bid of $3,750 on a $5,000 auction item closes all bids on that item, and the item is considered sold.
  • A bid of $3,000 on a $4,000 auction item closes all bids on that item, and the item is considered sold.
  • A bid of $2,250 on a $3,000 auction item closes all bids on that item, and the item is considered sold.
  • A bid of $1,500 on a $2,000 auction item closes all bids on that item, and the item is considered sold.
  • A bid of $750 on a $1,000 auction item closes all bids on that item, and the item is considered sold.

The starting minimum bid must be at least 10% of prize value ($100 for a $1,000 item, $200 for a $2,000 item, $300 for a $3,000 item, $400 for a $4,000 item, and $500 for a $5,000 item).

All bid increases must be rounded to exactly $100 increments, unless the bid is a “Buy it Now”. For example,

$200 bid, $1,300, and $4,000 dollar bid are acceptable bid amounts; $201, $1,050, $3,000.99 are not acceptable bidding increments.

Only the participating recipient may bid; bids cannot be conducted remotely or by proxy.

Winning bidders must pay for their own Silent Auction winnings; they cannot use a credit card that is not theirs.

Alexandra Dailyn Kleiter, Photo by Kerry Tasker

OFFICIAL SILENT AUCTION RULES                                                

Auction Items

  • The actual number of items and the values will be announced by in late March, 2019.
  • Silent Auction Gift Certificates are in the following wholesale value denominations only: $5000, $4000, $3000, $2000, $1000
  • The auction certificates are for wholesale merchandise ONLY.

How to Enter a Bid

  • The bid is a contractual agreement to purchase.
  • Silent Auction Certificates cannot be transferred, gifted, or resold. Only the participating recipient may bid; bids cannot be conducted remotely or by proxy.
  • The bidder must provide all contact details at the time of purchase.
  • The bid amount and the bidder’s information must be printed clearly in block letters.
  • You must provide full details (name, contact email, amount) for each bid increase.If you are unable to disclose this personal information, it is your responsibility to make sure your contact details are on file with registration (you can also verify your contact information in CVent)
  • Write “On File” in the information box on the bid sheet.
  • The purchase of an auction item is final and non-refundable.
  • Only the participating recipient may bid; bids cannot be conducted remotely or by proxy.
  • The starting minimum bid must be at least 10% of face value ($100 for $1000, $200 for $2000, $300 for $3000, $400 for $4000, $500 for $5000).
  • All bid increases must be rounded to exactly one hundred dollar increments (example: $200 bid, $4000, or $1300 dollar bid are acceptable bids; $3000.99, $201, or $1050 are not acceptable bidding increments).
  • Bidding will occur in the expo area only. Only proven industry affiliated expo pass holders may bid.
  • Each bidder may win only a maximum of $10,000 wholesale value, so bid CAREFULLY.

An example of the Silent Auction Bid Sheet can be viewed here:

How to Win

  • The winner has the highest eligible bid at the time of the Silent Auction closing (30 minutes before Expo closes on Wednesday).
  • If a single bidder inadvertently wins in excess of $10,000 wholesale value, the excess winning bids will be awarded to the second highest bidders. Designation for distribution of the bids won in excess of $10,000 is at the APP’s sole discretion; if you exceed your limit, then WE will pick which Gift Certificates you get, so bid CAREFULLY.
  • Bid entry deadlines and details will be posted onsite and in the Conference mobile app.
  • Bid entry deadlines are subject to change by the Association of Professional Piercers.
  • The APP will notify each winner by email, using the contact information provided on the APP Silent Auction bid sheet by the player..
  • Winners must sign the Winner Claim Form (in triplicate) in accordance with these Silent Auction regulations and procedures.
  • If claimed and/or redeemed after Conference, the winner is responsible for shipping and insurance charges as well as import duties on international shipments.

Deadlines

  • Bidding for the Silent Auction happens during Expo hours on Tuesday and Wednesday in the vendor Expo designated area only.
  • The final bidding ends exactly 30 minutes before the listed closing time of the Expo floor on Wednesday.
  • Silent Auction wins must be paid in full by 2pm PDT on Thursday or they may be awarded to the second highest bidder.
  • Instant bid winners “Buy it Now” must pay for the auction item immediately at the Silent Auction booth.

Eligibility and Participation

  • Participation is open to persons 18-years of age and older.
  • Participants must meet eligibility requirements at the time of bidding.
  • Participants must be registered and attending Conference.
  • Auction participants must be industry affiliated with the ability to resale these wholesale auction items.
  • There is no remote participation, such as proxy, online, or mail order.
  • APP Board Members, Officers, raffle-handling Volunteers, and APP employees may NOT participate.
  • If an individual bid winner forfeits on paying any of their winning bids, they may be ineligible to participate in future Silent Auctions.

Additional Terms

  • Participants are responsible for complying with these Official Rules.
  • Proof of age, eligibility, and identity must be furnished upon request.
  • Participants agree to the use of their name, likeness, and studio for advertising and publicity purposes, without compensation.
  • All taxes, import duties, shipping fees, and declaration forms are the responsibility of the winner.
  • By participating in the Silent Auction or winning any bids, participants agree to and do release and hold harmless the Association of Professional Piercers (APP) and its Volunteers, employees, agents, and Officers from any claim, demand, judgment, award, and/or any liability of any kind whatsoever.
  • The APP reserves the right to modify or terminate this Silent Auction at any time.
  • In the event of a conflict, these Official Rules supersede any applicable general rules or advertisements of the APP Silent Auction.
  • Any unclaimed Silent Auction items (either not bid on or not paid for) revert back to the Contributor. There are no rollovers.
  • All Silent Auction items are intended for resale. If the winner chooses not to resell their auction purchase, the winner will be responsible for Nevada state sales tax.
  • All proceeds from the Silent Auction go towards offsetting the costs of Conference.

Point 87: Beyond Conference Sessions

Comments Off on Point 87: Beyond Conference Sessions read Conference, Events, Issue 87

As we all prepare to come together for the 24th annual APP Conference & Exposition, we want to make sure you know about some of the great events that make up our week in Vegas.

OPENING POOL PARTY
Monday, May 12, 8 pm–Midnight
Sponsored by Sleeping Goddess Jewelry, Auris Jewelry, Anatometal, and Industrial Strength Body Jewelry
We will be taking our Opening Pool Party down the street to the fabulous Flamingo Go Pool. After the fantastic party last year, how could we not want to do it again?! Right across from Bally’s, this destination party means even more fun in a beautifully updated pool that was designed specifically for parties like ours. You can even rent your own Cabana so you can enjoy the party in real style. Free shuttles will be available for attendees from Planet Hollywood to The Flamingo Go Pool.

Above and right, the APP pool party, 2017, photos by Autumn Swisher

Tuesday, May 13, 10 am–11 am
Reducing Waste In Your Studio
Kendra Berndt & Harley Plamondon

This roundtable hopes to foster an open conversation with attendees about the ideas of reducing waste and the overall carbon footprint of a shop. We will look at ways in which piercers and shop owners can lessen their impact on the environment from build out to everyday operations in their studios.
When you hear the word “sustainability,” your first thoughts might be of recycling soda cans or composting your vegetable scraps. The idea of being a more environmentally conscientious business is not new, although it is not
necessarily the first thing you think of in reference to tattoo and piercing shops. At home maybe you are already living a greener life; upcycling, sorting your curbside recyclables, and buying your food locally. Meanwhile at work, the computer stays on all night, you use only one side of printer paper and the climate controls keep it a constant 68°F all year long. It’s easy to let the green routine slide at work, since it may not technically be your space. On the other end of the spectrum, you may be your shop’s outspoken green warrior.
The nicest thing about working towards more sustainable business practices is that these changes can be eco-friendly while potentially reducing overhead costs. So even if the benefits to the planet are hard to see, those benefits
to your bottom line may be more visible.


Thursday, May 15, 1 pm–2:30 pm
Giving & Receiving Feedback
Julie Taylor & Cody Vaughn

At last year’s conference I presented “Communication 101: How to Have a Difficult Conversation” with Aaron Pollack. We discussed the reasons we avoid difficult conversations, and how to initiate them. This year Cody Vaughn and I are going to delve into more communication skills, looking at how to give and receive feedback.
Not having control of what the other person says in reaction to you can be very frightening, but it’s worth it! We’re a community of people who are familiar with being brave. Open, honest conversations are part of having what researcher Dr. Brene Brown calls a “Courage Culture” and I want that culture for our industry. It will come as no surprise to readers that it’s often easier for us to feel physical pain, than to be exposed and vulnerable emotionally.
But I think we can make spaces that are psychologically safe
for each other, and help each other grow.
Besides all the touchy feely stuff, we’re also looking at Employee Performance Reviews and Regular Employee Check Ins. Having consistent—and even scheduled—conversations can help to resolve issues, give feedback, and share ideas.
We hope you’ll join us at our class. Let’s talk about stuff that’s
hard to talk about!

EVENING EVENTS
ALTERNATIVES TO THE BAR (ATTB)
The APP Board and Conference Committee are excited to announce that we will once again be offering some evening entertainment options on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. These extra curricular activities are a great alternative to traditional Vegas activities and are free of charge to all attendees of the Conference. They will offer information via interactive discussions and demonstrations from the instructors.
These are alcohol free options and we ask that all attending refrain from drinking or bringing alcohol to these events.

Tuesday, May 13, 8 pm–10 pm, Mezzanine
Needle Bending
Ed Chavarria will provide information and approaches to basic needle bends for various piercings as well as the techniques used to bend them.
There will be needle blanks available for practice. Attendees are asked to sign up in advance, but walk ins are also welcome. (Piercer Only)

Tuesday, May 13, 8 pm–10 pm, Mezzanine
Anodizing is Awesome
Brian Skellie and Lola Slider make it easy for you to anodize your titanium and niobium body jewelry with detailed information and live demonstration. How can this surface
finish process make a difference in your client’s healing results? How can you re-anodize for client jewelry if the color has worn off? These questions and more answered in
this workshop. Attendees are encouraged to sign up, but walk-ins are welcome. (Open to All)

Wednesday, May 14, 8:30 pm–until no one wants to play anymore, Mezzanine
Board Game Night
Bring your favorite board game, or two, or three, and join your fellow game lovers. There will be lots of laughter. This event has been a blast every year. (Open to All)

8:30 pm–10 pm, Melrose 3 & 4
Harm Reduction & Overdose Prevention & Response Training
This presentation will introduce the concept of harm reduction in the tattoo/piercing community as wel as provide participants with an in-depth exploration of opiate overdose, prevention strategies, and how to respond to an overdose. (Open to All)

CLOSING PARTY
Thursday, May 16, 8 pm–Midnight
NEW! This year we won’t be having a Banquet!
Our big wrap up event will be in the Gallery Nightclub at Planet Hollywood. Join us for an upscale evening of dancing and entertainment, drinks, and delicious hors d’oeuvres. Mingle the night away in your Moulin Rouge attire with all
your new industry friends. Purchase your tickets when registering; the event is sure to sell out!
Closing Party tickets are also available at the Registration Desk throughout the week; and at the door of the Gallery Nightclub on the night of the event (if not already sold out).